Microsoft Corp. said that its next-generation Windows 8 operating system will work on both current and even older machines. Similar, or even lower, hardware requirements will not only allow simple installation of the OS onto existing personal computers, but will also enable smooth user experience on ultra low-power systems

“The breadth of hardware choice is unique to Windows and is central to how we see Windows evolving. In both of our Windows 8 previews, we talked about continuing on with the important trend that we started with Windows 7, keeping system requirements either flat or reducing them over time. Windows 8 will be able to run on a wide range of machines because it will have the same requirements or lower,” said Tami Reller, corporate vice president and chief financial officer of Windows & Windows Live division at Microsoft's worldwide partner conference.